Women's basketball: South Carolina, Kansas battle for Sweet 16 berth

Teams hope for good turnout at Coors Events Center

On Saturday night, the Kansas women's basketball team wasn't bothered at all by playing in front of a pro-Colorado crowd at Coors Events Center.

Monday ought to feel much more inviting for the Jayhawks.

Seeded 12th in the Norfolk Region, Kansas (19-13) will take on 17th-ranked and fourth-seeded South Carolina (25-7) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Coors at 7:30 p.m. With host Colorado being eliminated by KU on Saturday, the Jayhawks are sure to have a crowd advantage over the Gamecocks.

"We hope so," Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said Sunday. "There's a lot of KU alums in this area and we had a small contingent that was here (Saturday) night. I think the weather hampered some of the people trying to come in. Western Kansas is loaded (with Jayhawk fans) and I know our alumni group has reached out to try to get a decent fan base tomorrow.

"So, we're cautiously optimistic there's a little bit more blue in the building tomorrow night and that will be nice."

Of course, having more fans hasn't meant a whole lot this weekend in Boulder. Most of the 5,347 fans in attendance Saturday were in favor of Colorado and that didn't help the Buffs. In the first game, South Dakota State's fan support dwarfed South Carolina's, and that didn't help the Jackrabbits.

Regardless of what colors the fans are wearing, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is optimistic the Coors Events Center will produce a good crowd -- even without the host Buffaloes participating in the game.

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"I think the people of Colorado will come out and watch some good basketball," Staley said. "I think they're committed to it. Of course, (the host school wants) the home team playing, but at the same time, I don't think they're hosting just to have an empty gym. You've got two good teams matched up tomorrow night and I think they'll come out."

The fans that do come to Monday's game figure to see a pretty good contest between two teams that were in the Sweet 16 a year ago.

Both teams feature dynamic point guards. Kansas' Angel Goodrich was sensational against Colorado, with 14 points and eight assists. South Carolina's Ieasia Walker was the defensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and posted 15 points and four assists against South Dakota State on Saturday.

"We both have pretty good point guards and I think whoever wins that point guard match-up will probably win the game," Staley said.

Henrickson agrees that the point guard match-up is critical, but also pointed out that "their teammates have got to step up and help."

In addition to Goodrich, Kansas had four other players score in double figures against Colorado. Carolyn Davis and Chelsea Gardner, both 6-foot-3 forwards, combined for 26 points and 17 rebounds against the Buffs.

South Carolina is also strong across its roster. Ashley Bruner (15 points, 11 rebounds vs. South Dakota State) has three consecutive double-doubles, while Elem Ibian and Tiffany Mitchell also scored in double figures.

Considering the talent on both teams, the game could be an entertaining battle.

"I anticipate it being very exciting," Staley said.

Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianHowell33.

Women's hoops preview

MONDAY: The No. 17 South Carolina Gamecocks (25-7) will face the Kansas Jayhawks (19-13) in an NCAA Tournament second-round game at 7:30 p.m. game at Coors Events Center in Boulder.

STORYLINES: South Carolina is the No. 4 seed in the Norfolk Region, while Kansas is the No. 12 seed. ... South Carolina defeated South Dakota State, 74-52, in Saturday's first round. Kansas upset host Colorado, 67-52. ... The Gamecocks finished fifth in the Southeastern Conference; Kansas was seventh in the Big 12. ... Kansas is 12-12 in 13 trips to the NCAA Tournament; South Carolina is 11-9 in 10 appearances. ... Kansas is trying to become just the second No. 12 seed to advance to the Sweet 16 since the NCAA went to a 64-team bracket in 1994. No. 12s are 1-15 in the second round, the only win coming by San Francisco in 1996. ... South Carolina ranks 342nd out of 343 Division I schools in free throw percentage (56.3), but did hit a season-high 76.9 percent (20 of 26) against South Dakota State. ... Kansas' CeCe Harper is 11-for-17 from 3-point range during the last seven games. ... Kansas has won three in a row at Coors Events Center.

KEY STAT: South Carolina came into the weekend ranked fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 49.5 points per game. Kansas averages 70 points per game.

COACHES: Dawn Staley is 92-65 in her fifth season at South Carolina and 264-145 in her career. Bonnie Henrickson is 157-134 in her ninth season at Kansas and 315-196 in her career.